Conditions We Treat
HEADACHES & MIGRAINES
If you're reaching for painkillers most weeks, it's worth asking why the headaches keep coming back. Medication manages the symptom, but in many cases, the neck is driving the problem, and that's something we can treat.
Three types of headache are commonly treated with chiropractic care:
Tension-type headaches feel like a band of pressure around the head. They're usually triggered by stress, fatigue, posture or muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders.
Cervicogenic headaches start in the upper neck joints and refer into the head. They're often one-sided, spreading to the temples, forehead or behind the eye. They're frequently mistaken for migraines because the pain can be severe. The giveaway is neck stiffness and pain that worsens with head movements or sustained positions.
Migraines are neurological, involving changes in brain chemistry and blood flow. They're typically throbbing, one-sided and accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. Even with migraines, neck dysfunction is often a contributing factor, and treating it can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. A 2019 meta-analysis of 6 trials found a reduction in migraine pain and migraine days.
Clinical guidelines recommend spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headaches, and manual therapy is also supported for tension-type headaches. The 2024 VA/DoD headache guideline includes physical therapy and exercise as part of a multimodal approach to migraine management.
We carry out a thorough neck and upper-back examination to determine the type and source of your headaches, then treat accordingly: gentle cervical adjustments, soft tissue work and practical advice on posture, ergonomics and stress management.
SIGNS YOUR HEADACHES MAY BE COMING FROM YOUR NECK
- Pain starting in the neck or shoulders that spreads to the head
- Pain above or behind one or both eyes
- Neck stiffness or tenderness, especially on one side
- Headache triggered or worsened by neck movements or sustained postures
- Headaches that are worse in the morning or after long periods of sitting
- A history of neck injury, whiplash or poor posture
- Headaches that respond poorly to standard pain medication
Identifying the type of headache is the first step. From there we can target the cause, not just dull the pain.
Patients visit us from Sandton, Morningside, Bryanston, Hyde Park, Illovo and across the greater Johannesburg area.
Book an appointment at our Sandton rooms and let us help you get to the root of the problem.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Clinical guidelines recommend spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headaches, and manual therapy is also effective for tension-type headaches. Research shows it can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines as well. By treating the underlying neck dysfunction, chiropractic care addresses the cause rather than just masking the pain.
Cervicogenic headaches typically start as pain or stiffness in the neck that spreads to the head. They are often one-sided, worse with neck movements or sustained positions, and may include pain behind the eye. A thorough chiropractic examination can determine whether your neck is contributing to your headaches.
Tension-type headaches feel like a band of pressure around the head and are usually triggered by stress, fatigue or muscle tightness. Migraines are typically throbbing, one-sided and accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. Both can involve neck dysfunction as a contributing factor.
Most patients with headache-related neck dysfunction notice improvement within 4 to 6 visits. The exact number depends on the type and severity of your headaches, how long you have had them and whether postural or ergonomic factors are involved.
Some patients experience mild, temporary soreness after cervical treatment, similar to what you might feel after exercise. This typically resolves within 24 hours. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
References
- Sico JJ, et al. 2023 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guideline for the management of headache. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2024;177(12):1675-1694.
- Rist PM, et al. The impact of spinal manipulation on migraine pain and disability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Headache. 2019;59(4):532-542.